Take my greatest strengths and think of the best ways I can utilize them. I think packing may be in the top of that list. I'm really good at packing! It's not something that I go shouting from rooftops like I would if I were great at ice skating or playing the piano, but it is still a quality that I think is pretty good to have.
First, you have to pack early. I don't know why I think this is a strength, but it is. My boss oftentimes is packing at 1am the night before a trip because she didn't get off work in time the day before and she has a 6 am flight to catch. Not me; I can work as late as I need to the night before a vacation because I most likely finished packing 4 days earlier.
Second, you have to have a mental list in your head. I have gotten pretty used to packing this year because this is the SIXTH plane trip William will take. It's pathetic, really. But, it's helped me learn his packing-needs quickly, and I already know ours. So I have these lists in my head that I can just check off. The cool part of my mental-packing lists is that they work like a checklist on my iPhone...once I've packed one thing, it somehow removes itself from my list. So I don't have to keep scrolling through those things. It's pretty handy.
Third, you have to know how to maximize your packing space. Airlines are making a KILLING on checked bag fees (lucky for us, we take free bags thanks to austin's military service...but fewer bags is still better). So you have to know the best ways to fold the clothes and maneuver them in your suitcase to fit as much as you can within the 50lb limit. **Note: the extra large suitcases are great for road trips, cruises, etc. Not so much for planes, as you have to be careful not to fill them and pay an overweight fee. So, you have to also be aware of heavy items like toiletries, shoes, hair supplies...and then just stick those in William's suitcase. Or whatever your second suitcase is called, as I imagine it isn't William's.
Take those 3 starting hints and you're well on your way to being an expert packer.
Austin always offers to help, and I usually just pretend I didn't hear him. I'm pretty sure he knows I won't take him up on the offer since I never have - and it's not cause he CAN'T pack...I sure hope any grown person can pack. It's just because I have my efficiencies and they don't include another person helping. It has nothing to do with a control issue, just an efficiency issue :)
So, last night he folded clothes while I packed. And packed. and packed some more. Then, ran over the mental-list with him of the items that are remaining, as well as all the things we need to do before we leave, and by 10:00 Reagan was happily snuggled on top of one of the two suitcases on our floor. He loves that part. Just a few things to add (like toothbrushes - kind of need those unpacked for the time being) and we'll be on our way. Oh, and a few more days of work too...
Happy Monday!
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